Improvement in automatic steam-traps



1J. K, STAYTMAN.v lmprovmenf in Autmatic `Steam-Trap#` No. 127,382, Patented May 28, 1372.

WITNESSES.- 3M. am maf/Mfg@ INVENTQR.,

UNITED STATES 1 JoHN K. sTAYMAN, or CARLISLE, rENNsYLvANIA.

lMPROVEMENT IN AUTOMATIC STEAM-TRAPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent l\o. 127,382, dated May 28, 1872.

Specification of an Automatic Steam-Trap, invented by J OHN K. STAYMAN, of Carlisle, in the county of Cumberland, State of Pennsyli Vania.

My steam-trap consists essentially of a bo or casing, an automatic valve controlled by a float-lever, and a valve-seat, forming a cylindrical arc concentric with the fulcrum of the valve-lever. The port in the valve-seat is long horizontally and narrow vertically, so that a slight movement of the valve will eti'ect considerable increase or diminution in the exposed area of the said port.

In the drawing, Figure 1 isa plan of the apparatus with the top removed. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the entire apparatus in the plane indicated by the line x at', Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a transverse section in the plane indicated by the line y y. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of a part of the apparatus, illustrating amodincation hereinafter described.

A represents an iron or other metallic box or chest, of oblong or other suitable form and any necessary size, to be applied to a steampipe, B, to receive the drip or flow of the water of condensation. In order to prevent pulsation or irregular movement of the automatic valve mechanism hereinafter described, the

water is delivered to the box A. through the medium of a horizontal passage, C, extending from end to end, or it may be received upon 'an apron, Dgor both these appliances may be combined, as'illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. At or near the bottom of the box, at one end, is formed a valve-seat, E, constituting an arc or segment of a cylinder, so that the valve F,

which is attached to arms G G of a lever, G,

fulcrumed at g g concentrically to the valveseat, may be adapted to move freely upon the said seat and form a suiciently tight joint therewith. The port or opening in the valveseat consists of a narrow horizontal slit, e, which, by reason of this peculiar form, maybe opened or closed with a slight movement of the valve. To the free end of the arm D is attached a float, H, so that the valve will be opened by any accumulation of Water in the box A. Within or covered by the valve-seat E is a discharge opening, "i, communicating with the waste-pipe I. Ihe parts are to be so adjusted and combined as to deliver into the waste-pipe the water of condensation at a rate proportioned to its now into the box, and at the same time permit no escape of steam. This arrangement of cylinder, port, and valve will be seen to constitute a valuable modifica tion of the stop-cock, being so arranged and disposed as to present the maximum l1orizontal opening with theminimum of friction in working the same, and to produce the greatest possible difference in the opening and closing ofthe port by the least possible motion of the valve and the iioat which works it. By this arrangement great sensitiveness is combined with little motion, so that the perpendicular movement of the float and valve through an arc of a few degrees will either close the trap entirely or work it at its maximum capacity.

The device may be modified in various ways-as, for example, by introducing a horizontal port of (slightly) diii'erent proportions,

and cutting awa-y the outside cylinder into a mere valve, (to reduce friction, Ste. or by cutting away the internal cylinder into a mere valve and working it from the interior, as might also be readily done.

J is a metallic hook or anged rod, adapted to engage beneath the lever G, passing through a stuffing-box or steam-fitting, K, in the top of the box, and terminating on the outside in aknob, j. By this the oat can be raised and the valve opened and kept open for any desired time, so as to remedy all difficulties connected with the freezing of the water in the trap, to gain other ends to be hereafter specied.

The valve may be connected with the arms 4of the lever G by either of the two following methods, and I propose to use either mode in any trap, as it may be found to be most desirable. By the first method the valve is attached immovably to the lever, as seen in Fig. 2, so as to be in proper contact with the port of the cylinder or valve-seat surrounding the slit or port. By this arrangement I secure the working of the valve independently of the friction produced bythe pressure of the steam upon said valve.

presence of impurities, &c., in the water, there may arise the escape of a very thin sheet or lm of water, even when the valve is closed; but the escape of this ilm will be no disadvantage if it is always less than the minimum By the wear due to theinflow of Water into the trap. The other method consists in placing the ends of the valve in its grooves in the arms of the lever, as illustrated' in Fig. 4, so that the pressure of the steam will always keep the valve hard against the face of the cylinder or valve-seat,

the slots allowing the valve to fall back toward the center of motion as it and the seat wear away. This method can be used in cases where the inflow is very irregular, or Where it would at certain times be less than the leakage possibly occurring in the former method, thus making that method objectionable.

The box or steam-chest may be of any desired size and proportions. It is intended to cast it in two sections, as will best suit the convenience, for insertion of cylinder, lever, float, &c. It will also be cast with such flan ges or projections as may best Vsuit the litt-ing of it together steam-tight.

K represents the apron applied in the inside of the trap. It serves to protect the float, and at the same time necessitates no increase in the size of the trap, nor any difculty in the casting of the same. It consists of a mere sheet of brass fastened to the side of the trap,

Y as shown in Figs. l and 2.

As a substitute for the ordinary float I purpose in some cases to use the following modilication: This float may be made of thin copper, as it will not be required to withstand the pressure of the steam. It will be open at the top by a small hole or perforation of such size as will be found on trial best to answer the end in view-namely, to provide for the ingress and egress of steam under changes of temperature, and the speedy removal of any water that may condense therein by the raising of the said float by means of the outside knob and the hook, thus subjecting it to a steam-bath and thereby evaporating its contents.

Advantages.

My apparatus possesses the following general advantages: First, smallness of size; second, convenience and ease of application third, simplicity of construction; fourth, nonliability to get out of order. Also the following special advantages: First, by the use of my concentric sliding valve and its connection Withthe port and lever it may be rendered independent of the pressure of steam, and of the friction consequent thereon, in the operation of said valve. Second, by the same arrangement of valve and port it is rendered independent of the currents established and maintained by the outflow from the trap in the operation of said valve. Third, by the peculiar form and position of the long and narrow horizontal port and valve the apparatus is made to possess great sensitiveness and promptness of adjustment on the part of trap, so that it shall accurately proportion the delivery of the Water to the inflow. This continuous andregular action, by which all the water is delivered and the steam completely trapped, constitutes the excellence of its automatic character. Fourth, the position of the port andV valve will not permit the latter to clog or become embarrassed in its action by foreign substances entering the trap. Fifth, the apparatus possesses great advantages over plug and other valves which must be operated againstthe pressure of the steam in the trap, and which act more or less intermittently, andI am thus enabled to make a smaller, cheaper, more convenient, and better trap than is possible by such other arrangements.

Various modications may be adopted in the mode of connecting the trap with the pipes, to suit the necessities of any particular case.

Stop or trial cocks may be added, if desired.

Claims.

I claim as my invention- 1. Thev segmental or curved valve-seat E, having a long and narrow horizontal port, e, and used in connection with a valve, F, controlled by a float-lever, G H, fulcrumed concentrically tothe valve-seat.

2. The steam-trap herein described, consist- I ing of the box A, cylindricalvalve-seat E, valve F, lever G, float H, and rod J, arranged to operate substantially as and for the purposes described.

JOHN K. STAYMAN. Witnesses:

W. F. HoRN, A. L. SPoNsLER. 

